JUNIOR CHAPLAIN. (_Coming into veranda._) I've given him a stiff brandy-peg. He wants it. You've forgotten him for the last ten hours and--forgotten yourself too. G. _enters bedroom, which is lit by one night-lamp. Ayah on the floor pretending to be asleep._ VOICE. (_From the bed._) All down the street--such bonfires! _Ayah_, go and put them out! (_Appealingly._) How can I sleep with an installation of the C.I.E. in my room? No--not C.I.E. Something else. _What_ was it? CAPT. G. (_Trying to control his voice._) Minnie, I'm here. (_Bending over bed._) Don't you know me, Minnie? It's me--it's Phil--it's your husband. VOICE. (_Mechanically._) It's me--it's Phil--it's your husband. CAPT. G. She doesn't know me!--It's your own husband, darling, VOICE. Your own husband, darling. AYAH. (_With an inspiration._) _Memsahib_ understanding all _I_ saying. CAPT. G. Make her understand me then--quick! AYAH. (_Hand on_ MRS. G's _forehead._) _Memsahib!_ Captain Sahib here. VOICE. _Salma do._ (_Fretfully._) I know I'm not fit to be seen. AYAH. (_Aside to_ G.) Say _'marneen'_ same as breakfash. CAPT. G. Good-morning, little woman. How are we to-day? VOICE. That's Phil. Poor old Phil. (_Viciously._) Phil, you fool, I can't see you. Come nearer. CAPT. G. Minnie! Minnie! It's me--you know me? VOICE. (_Mockingly._) Of course I do. Who does not know the man who was so cruel to his wife--almost the only one he ever had? CAPT. G. Yes, dear. Yes--of course, of course. But won't you speak to him? He wants to speak to you so much. VOICE. They'd never let him in. The Doctor would give _darwaza bund_ even if he were in the house. He'll never come. (_Despairingly._) O Judas! Judas! Judas! CAPT. G. (_Putting out his arms._) They have let him in, and he always was in the house. Oh, my love--don't you know me? VOICE. (_In a half chant._) 'And it came to pass at the eleventh hour that this poor soul repented.' It knocked at the gates, but they were shut--tight as a plaster--a great, burning plaster. They had pasted our marriage certificate all across the door, and it was made of red-hot iron--people really ought to be more careful, you know. CAPT. G. What _am_ I to do? (_Takes her in his arms._) Minnie! speak to me--to Phil. VOICE. What shall I say? Oh, tell me what to say before it's too late! They are all going away and I can't say anything. CAPT. G. Say you know me! Only say you know me! DOCTOR. (_Who has entered quietly._) For pity's sake don't take it too much to heart, Gadsby. It's this way sometimes. They won't recognise. They say all sorts of queer things--don't you _see?_ CAPT. G. All right! All right! Go away now, she'll recognise me; you're bothering her. She _must_--mustn't she? DOCTOR. She will before--Have I your leave to try--? CAPT. G. Anything you please, so long as she'll know me. It's only a question of--hours, isn't it? DOCTOR. (_Professionally._) While there's life there's hope, y'know. But don't build on it.